History

Foundation of the first Deaconess House by Theodor and Friederike Fliedner in Kaiserswerth on the Rhine.

1861

First Kaiserswerth General Conference of boards of European deaconess houses.

1890

Establishment of other deaconess associations and diaconal sisterhoods as other expressions of their vocation.

1946

Following a Dutch initiative, an international conference of representatives of European deaconess houses took place in Utrecht. It was decided to found a new association. In addition to the deaconess associations, other diaconal groups joined with the other structure.